Pokémon Aerodactyl

Honestly, it's like Game Freak gave Mega Aerodactyl something that fit perfectly flavor-wise (if you could possibly classify those little black spikes all over its body or those pooper-scoopers it calls "feet" as claws xD), but didn't think about the moves it could get. Tough Claws in general affects WAY more moves than Strong Jaw, which explains why it only has a 1.2x boost as opposed to 1.5x, but they just had to decimate its chances of being great by giving it no moves above 80 BP to go with it.

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A 135 Atk stat is nothing to scoff at, and that 33%(recent posts in research thread say so, at least) boost certainly isn't insubstantial.
Proof

As for the moves we know that it gets that make contact:
Crunch (106-ish BP after boost)
Iron Head (106-ish BP after boost)
Aerial Ace (80 BP after boost)
The Fangs (86-ish BP after boost)
Dragon Claw (106-ish BP after Boost)
Aqua Tail (119-ish BP after boost)(once pokebank comes out)

It has good power and coverage with these moves as well as its 135 base Attack. Let's not forget about its fantastic speed and respectable bulk that allows it to take a priority attack or two. I'm not sure what's so underwhelming or useless about that.

So, with the tough claws boost, what would make a good MegaDactyl move set?
It gets roost, could that be an option?
and what Fang would give you the best coverage? What would it be used against. I can think of 3 premier megas: Alakazam, Gengar, and Garchomp. Maybe Ice Fang and Crunch would do the trick. You could also change ice fang out for dragon claw as it does more goodra. Or maybe ThunderFang against TalonFlame. What would be it's Counters, and what would IT counter?
It counters
The mega crew: Alakazam, Gengar, and Garchomp
Goodra?
Talonflame?

Kinda what I've been using, not really supposed to decimate teams, but it does what it needs to. Resisting SR and ignoring everything else makes him one of the best Defog users, which is how I started using him. I also prefer Rock Slide over Stone Miss because of the 30% flinch chance.

Kinda what I've been using, not really supposed to decimate teams, but it does what it needs to. Resisting SR and ignoring everything else makes him one of the best Defog users, which is how I started using him. I also prefer Rock Slide over Stone Miss because of the 30% flinch chance.

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Aerodactyl is actually weak to Stealth Rock, as Rock does not resist itself.

Has anyone testing Megadactyl found Hone Claws to be worth using at all? Granted, he probably doesn't want to waste a turn setting up when something can potentially kill him in the process, but patching Stone Edge's accuracy has to be at least somewhat worthwhile, I'm thinking. I ran a HC Aero in Gen 5 UU and he worked reasonably well.

Overview
Aerodactyl has undergone a very strange transformation this generation, mostly due to its shiny new Mega Evolution and its accompanying ability, Tough Claws. Unfortunately, this may not be much for the better. Game Freak did something quite trolly here: neither of its primary attacks that make up the coveted EdgeQuake combo are boosted by Tough Claws, making Life Orb Aerodactyl and Mega Evolved Aerodactyl roughly equivalent in terms of power output (in fact, Life Orb actually outdamages the Mega Evolution by a tiny amount). Even in its boosted coverage moves such as Wing Attack and the elemental Fangs, the amount by which Tough Claws and Mega Evolution outdamages Life Orb is almost insignificant.

So then, what can the Mega Evolution of the prehistoric pteradon possibly offer over its traditional counterpart that could allow it thrive in this metagame? The answer lies in its insane 150 speed. While this seems like overkill, being able to outspeed and OHKO major threats like the Mega Evolutions of Gengar, Alakazam, and Mewtwo-Y (holy crap) gives it a interesting niche. This unfortunately means that Aerodactyl MUST Mega Evolve before they do; however, the prospect of doing so may give it a valuable niche on your team.

Probably the only set you'll see Mega Aerodactyl running, seeing how the only real advantage it has over Life Orb Aerodactyl is lack of recoil and speed (the defenses, while much improved, aren't catered to Mega Aerodactyl's tanking ability). With a Jolly nature, Crunch is a clean OHKO on Mega Alakazam, and has a very high chance of OHKOing Mega Gengar and Mega Mewtwo-Y unless they are HEAVILY invested. In fact, residual damage in the form of sand or Stealth Rock ensures that both of these threats are OHKOed; this puts the user at the unfortunate decision to either Mega Evolve Aerodactyl first, or get up Rocks and the heavily nerfed Sand at the risk of letting the opponent's Mega get up first. An Adamant nature actually helps immensely in the power department at the risk of being outsped by said threats. There is another solution, though...

Using an almost guaranteed boost to its defenses because of its blistering 130 speed, this trades Mega Aerodactyl's ability to switch in and out of battle freely as a Scarf-less revenge killer for the ability to smash things with a perfectly accurate +1 Stone Edge. Essentially, Hone Claws + Mega Evolve gives Aerodactyl boosts to all its relevant stats to the point that nothing would really want to switch in. Unfortunately, it's easily revenge killed by Bullet Punch (Lucario and Scizor say hi) even if set up.

Final Thoughts:
Aerodactyl, unfortunately, will struggle to stay afloat this generation, even with its Mega Evolution. 150 speed is fantastic, but sadly Tough Claws doesn't boost its strongest attacks and the boost in attack power doesn't do much for it even factoring in improved defenses and lack of recoil from Life Orb. It also competes for the Mega Evolution slot on teams, and is mostly outclassed by other Pokemon that received Mega Evolutions. Though it's still a young new game, things don't look too great for Aerodactyl, unless research reveals new toys with which it can play. But please discuss — I'm only one mind, and maybe I'm missing something that could put this Pokemon into contention as a strong OU Pokemon.

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Sorry im new here and dont know how to post on this so thought i would reply lol ... I am currently training a aerodactyl for online and wanted to point out that giving aerodactyl steel wing with base power at 70. plus tough claws will hit hard to fairy types especially bully types like slyveon ... Excuse my spelling, also for the people who are saying that hes a suicidal type set .. Well with his AMAZING speed, surely if he whirlwinds he can get out of those sticky situations... So what im trying to say is EX still proves to be a big threat with the right move pool... Food for thought.

Unnerve is the suggested Ability, as Pressure won't be doing much if you plan on Aerodactyl staying in normal form for whatever reason, and can be a bane for Harvest Trevenant. Stone Edge is it's best STAB, with the low accuracy being compensated for after a boost, Aqua Tail hits Ground-types, as well as Steel-types neutrally, and Aerial Ace 2HKOs defensive Grass-types such as Tangrowth and Mega Venusaur.

Sorry im new here and dont know how to post on this so thought i would reply lol ... I am currently training a aerodactyl for online and wanted to point out that giving aerodactyl steel wing with base power at 70. plus tough claws will hit hard to fairy types especially bully types like slyveon ... Excuse my spelling, also for the people who are saying that hes a suicidal type set .. Well with his AMAZING speed, surely if he whirlwinds he can get out of those sticky situations... So what im trying to say is EX still proves to be a big threat with the right move pool... Food for thought.

Has anyone considered iron head for the fairy types? I run it and its seems to be effective.

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Steel has mediocre coverage other than for Fairies, and you can just hit them neutrally with Stone Edge. If you really want to decimate Fairies, then you could, but note that it isn't SE against Azumarill, M-Mawile, and Klefki.

There is little reason to use Iron Head / Steel Wing. Klefki / Mega Mawile are covered by Earthquake / Fire Fang and are neutral to Steel, Togekiss is OHKOed by Stone Edge, Azumarill is hit harder by your Rock STAB as it is neutral to Steel, Mamoswine, Tyranitar, and Terrakion are hit harder by Aqua Tail, leaving only max HP / max Def+ Sylveon and Clefable as Pokemon that Iron head can 2HKO and the other moves of Aerodactyl can't. Overall, this is the best moveset for Mega Aerodactyl:

Max Speed to outrun base 130s, +1 Adamant Dragonite, and Speed tie with opposing Mega Aerodactyl, and Adamant because you need the extra power while the extra Speed is mostly irrelevant. Aqua Tail 2HKOes most Landorus-T, Hippowdon, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Tyranitar. Fire Fang covers Steel-types can can 2HKO SpD Skarmory but Ice Fang is nice to OHKO Pokemon such as Latias, Garchomp, and Landorus. Aerial Ace is needed to 2HKO physically defensive Mega Venusaur, Conkeldurr, and Tagnrowth, as well as OHKO Keldeo. Earthquake is not really needed as Steel and Rock-types are covered by either Aqua Tail or Fire Fang, but it can be used with Ice Fang if you really want it. Taunt can be used on the last slot to get past physical walls even if you don't have the necessary coverage moves, as Mega Aerodactyl resists or is immune to the attacking moves of many physical walls, such as Hippowdon, Gliscor, and Skarmory.

There is little reason to use Iron Head / Steel Wing. Klefki / Mega Mawile are covered by Earthquake / Fire Fang and are neutral to Steel, Togekiss is OHKOed by Stone Edge, Azumarill is hit harder by your Rock STAB as it is neutral to Steel, Mamoswine, Tyranitar, and Terrakion are hit harder by Aqua Tail, leaving only max HP / max Def+ Sylveon and Clefable as Pokemon that Iron head can 2HKO and the other moves of Aerodactyl can't. Overall, this is the best moveset for Mega Aerodactyl:

Max Speed to outrun base 130s, +1 Adamant Dragonite, and Speed tie with opposing Mega Aerodactyl, and Adamant because you need the extra power while the extra Speed is mostly irrelevant. Aqua Tail 2HKOes most Landorus-T, Hippowdon, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Tyranitar. Fire Fang covers Steel-types can can 2HKO SpD Skarmory but Ice Fang is nice to OHKO Pokemon such as Latias, Garchomp, and Landorus. Aerial Ace is needed to 2HKO physically defensive Mega Venusaur, Conkeldurr, and Tagnrowth, as well as OHKO Keldeo. Earthquake is not really needed as Steel and Rock-types are covered by either Aqua Tail or Fire Fang, but it can be used with Ice Fang if you really want it. Taunt can be used on the last slot to get past physical walls even if you don't have the necessary coverage moves, as Mega Aerodactyl resists or is immune to the attacking moves of many physical walls, such as Hippowdon, Gliscor, and Skarmory.

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Is Aqua Tail really supposed to be there? The only threats there are Landorus, Gliscor, Hippowdon and.... yeah.

EQ should at least be slashed there, as it hits Garchomp/T-tar harder than Aqua tail does, plus is a better coverage move in general.

...but I miss having Earthquake to deal with Electric types, which seems to be Aerodactyl's biggest problem at the moment. I don't know which move to replace it with, since all of the moves he has right now can deal with so many threats, but he can be quickly revenge-killed by an electric type, and I'd like to deal with them personally.